H-E-B, GVEC studying expansion options in Cuero

CUERO H-E-B

The current Cuero H-E-B store, at 1161 N. Esplanade St., was built in 1960 and is 13,500 square feet.

Cooperation between the Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative and H-E-B could mean a new grocery store and a new GVEC customer service center and operations facility for Cuero.

As H-E-B begins the early planning stages of purchasing land near the corner of U.S. Highway 87 and Fain McDougal Drive, GVEC may also consider relocation options, according to a news release from the company.

During the past two years, GVEC staff has been considering the best way to bring a new customer service center to its members in the DeWitt County area.

H-E-B's recent interest in the property comes at a crucial time in GVEC's planning phase and created the perfect opportunity to determine the feasibility of selling the entire acreage to H-E-B, according to the news release.

"We are beginning the early planning stages for a potential H-E-B store site," said Garcia, H-E-B public affairs manager for the Gulf Coast Region. "Our planning includes site research, community review, internal H-E-B review and development potential.

"We will be going through the city approval process with the city of Cuero. Residents may see signs posted on the property and newspaper notices regarding public meetings on the applications," said Garcia. "Our site analyses will take a few months to complete before a decision is made to purchase the land."

GVEC and H-E-B will conduct independent feasibility studies to determine the viability of partnering on this project, according to the GVEC news release.

If an agreement is reached after feasibility studies are complete, GVEC will build a new customer service center and operations facility elsewhere in Cuero.

If no agreement can be reached, GVEC will continue with plans to renovate the current building or construct a new customer service center on the existing property, according to the release.